Golf aid tool kit

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a golf tee souvenir, comprised of: a flat support form, supporting unassembled golf tee components. The unassembled tee components are planar and lie parallel to the surface of the flat support. The golf tee components are removable from the flat support form and may be assembled to form a golf tee adapted to support a golf ball thereupon. The flat support form may resemble one of: a postcard, a business card, a keychain ornament, a membership card, a tournament card, and a memento. Printing may be displayed on any part of the invention. Additional golf aids may be included, such as a planar ball marker, and a planar pitch-mark repair tool. The invention additionally provides planar golf aid tools without an underlying support, such as a planar golf tee, a planar ball marker, and a planar pitch-mark repair tool.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 12/953,537 filed 24 Nov. 2010, published as US2012/0264543A1, hereinincorporated in its entirety by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention pertains to a golf aid tool kit which may be initiallyprovided to a user as unassembled golf tee components, ball marker andpitch-mark repair tool, supported by a flat support form. The flatsupport form may resemble, for instance, a key chain ornament, abusiness card, a membership card or a postcard, and may be offered as asouvenir. The golf aid components are planar, and thus lie parallel tothe surface of the flat form.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Golf tees are used by golfers to raise the ball from the grass and allowit to be readily struck from the teeing area. Numerous tees have beendeveloped having distinct advantages such as being height-adjustable,easily recovered after being struck, and able to withstand the impact ofrepeated use.

Golfers appreciate souvenirs from the various golf courses they haveplayed at. A golfer traveling to another location will typically collecta souvenir from each course he has visited. Souvenirs typically includegolf balls, towels, repair tools, shirts, hats, score cards, and anyitem embossed with the golf course logo.

Golf tees are the least collected item, perhaps due to their small size.It is desirable to increase the available printing surface on golf tees,allowing golf tees to become a handy and useful souvenir.

U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005/0064959 to Ortiz describes a golf teewhich has a specific lengthened area upon which promotional advertisingmay be printed. The Ortiz tee, and others like it are conventional andthus unexciting.

It would be advantageous to have a new tee which is eye-catching andmulti-functional, which may be used as a memorable souvenir offered to agolf aficionado.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a golf tee, andadditional golf aid tools which form a golf aid tool kit which ismemorable and easily fitted into a wallet or case. The golf tee may beprovided as unassembled components supported by a flat support form,which may resemble for instance, a business card, a membership card, apostcard, or a key chain ornament. The user may assemble the golf tee toits final tee form at any time.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,503,396 to Veylupek Jr. et al, describes a businesscard, having a circular center which may be punched out, after which theremainder of the card is bent to form a golf tee. The business card ofVeylupek Jr. is not a stable or reliable golf tee, as it remainsessentially a disfigured business card. The business card suffers fromthe disadvantages of golf tees formed of cardboard or light-weightpaper, namely, the tee may be overturned by even a slight breeze, andstability is lacking on uneven ground. The business card contactinformation will not be retained if the golf tee is used, defeating thepurpose of a business card.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a functional andreliable golf tee which may be removed and assembled from a flat supportform, while the remainder of the form may be retained, if desired, forbusiness contact information, as a membership card, or as a memento suchas a key-chain ornament.

These and other objects of the invention will be described in thedetailed description of the invention that follows.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to a golf tee, and additional golf tools(pitch-mark repair tool and ball marker) which are typically provided toa user as unassembled planar components. These may be supported by aflat support form. The flat support form may resemble for instance, apostcard, a business card, or a keychain ornament. The components of thegolf tee are typically planar, and lie flat in parallel to surface ofthe support form. The golf tool components thus may be left upon thesupport for any length of time, while the support form is utilized as abusiness card, or postcard, and the planar nature of the golf toolcomponents allows the support and attached components to readily fitinside a wallet, an envelope or a user's pocket, without jutting out.The components may remain upon the support while the support is mailedas a postcard.

The tee components may be removed by the user from the surrounding flatform support, and are readily assembled to form a golf tee. Assembly ofthe golf tee components together, transforms the flat unassembledcomponents into a three-dimensional golf tee capable of supporting agolf ball upon it. The surrounding flat form support may be retained bythe user, who may continue to use it as a business card, key chainornament or a souvenir.

The present invention provides a planar golf aid tool kit, havingessentially two dimensions, comprising:

-   -   golf tee components adapted to be assembled to form a golf tee        capable of supporting a golf ball thereupon, wherein the golf        tee components are comprised of: a stem component, and a slotted        shim component, the slotted shim component mating with the upper        end of the stem component, wherein the upper end of the stem        component and the upper area of the slotted shim component are        concave for receiving a golf ball; and further comprising a        locking mechanism for securing the golf tee components together        after assembly has occurred;    -   a ball marker;    -   a pitch-mark repair tool.

In some embodiments, the flat support form resembles at least one of thefollowing: a postcard, a business card, a keychain ornament, amembership card, a tournament card, and a memento.

In one presently preferred embodiment, the golf tee components arecomprised of a stem component, and a slotted shim component. The slottedshim component mates with the upper end of the stem component. The upperend of the stem component and the upper area of the slotted shimcomponent are concave for receiving a golf ball. Moreover, optionally,mating of the slotted shim component and the stem component is providedby a receiving slot present on the upper end of stem component, whichmates with the terminal slotted end of the slotted shim.

Optionally, a locking mechanism may be included, for securing the golftee components together after assembly has occurred.

The golf tee souvenir may display printing thereupon. The printingdisplayed may be selected from: a commercial logo, business contactinformation, a personalized message, a photographic image, and apostcard form.

Further, a planar ball marker may be included in the invention,supported by the flat support form.

Still further, a planar pitch-mark repair tool may also be included inthe invention, supported by the flat support form.

In some embodiments of the golf tee souvenir of the invention, aplurality of tee components are supported by the flat support form. Thegolf tee components may be designed to appear in aesthetically pleasingpatterns.

Moreover, the golf tee souvenir may have any predetermined thickness. Itmay optionally be formed from a material selected from: plastic,paperboard, wood, bamboo, rubber, recycled rubber and recycled plastic,or any other material.

In some embodiments, the golf tee souvenir is manufactured using amethod selected from: casting, molding, laser cutting, mechanicalcutting, and etching. Any method of manufacture may be utilized.

Further, the unassembled golf tee components may be pre-cut into thesurface of the flat support form, such that upon removal of the golf teecomponents, a void is formed in the support form. Alternatively, theunassembled golf tee components may be temporarily fixed to the externalsurface of the support form, such that after removal of the golf teecomponents, the flat support form remains intact.

The invention additionally provides stand-alone planar golf aid tools,which are supplied without the need for an underlying support form. Theplanar golf aid tools have essentially two dimensions, and are selectedfrom at least one of the following:

-   -   golf tee components adapted to be assembled to form a golf tee        capable of supporting a golf ball thereupon;    -   a ball marker; and:    -   a pitch-mark repair tool.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example in the figures ofthe accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similarelements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a flat support form, supporting a plurality ofunassembled golf tee components.

FIG. 2A illustrates a flat support form resembling a souvenir such as amemento from a wedding. FIG. 2B, illustrates a flat support formresembling a business card. In FIGS. 2A, 2B, flat support form supportstwo sets of components for formation of two tees.

FIG. 2C illustrates a flat support form, resembling a business card, andsupporting: a pitch-mark repair tool, for repairing irregular patches ofgrass, golf tee components, and a golf ball marker.

FIG. 3 illustrates planar nature of two golf components, namely planarstem component and planar slotted shim.

FIG. 4 illustrates stem component and slotted shim component, orientedin preparation for mating for formation of final golf tee, in aperspective view.

FIG. 5 illustrates partial mating of golf tee components.

FIG. 6 illustrates the final assembled golf tee, in perspective view.

FIG. 7 illustrates another perspective view of the final assembled golftee.

FIG. 8 illustrates use of the final assembled golf tee, to support agolf ball prior to teeing off.

FIG. 9 illustrates a plurality of golf tee components supported by flatsupport form, with components arranged in an aesthetic design.

FIG. 10 illustrates ball markers and pitch-mark repair tool, supportedon flat support form, in addition to golf tee components.

FIG. 11 illustrates a flat support which is a tournament pass.

FIG. 12 illustrates a flat support which is a postcard.

FIG. 13 illustrates a flat support which is a membership card to a golfcourse.

FIG. 14 illustrates a flat support displaying a photographic imagethereon.

FIG. 15 illustrates an embodiment of a locking mechanism for securinggolf tee components together.

FIG. 16 illustrates an embodiment of flat support as a cut-out shape,with golf aids connected by barbs to flat support.

FIG. 17 illustrates an embodiment including all three golf aid tools,and a detachable keychain keepsake. FIG. 17A illustrates toolslaser-scored into surface of flat support, or attached onto surface offlat support. FIG. 17B illustrates golf aid tools attached by barbs toflat support.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are setforth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the presentinvention. There is no intention to limit the invention to the detailsof construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in thefollowing description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention iscapable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out invarious ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology andterminology employed herein are for the purpose of description andshould not be regarded as limiting.

The invention generally relates to a kit of golf tool aids including: agolf tee, pitch-mark repair tool and ball marker. These are typicallyprovided to a user as unassembled components supported by a flat supportform. The flat support form may resemble for instance, a postcard, abusiness card, or a keychain ornament. The golf tool components aretypically planar, and lie flat in parallel to surface of the supportform. The components thus may be left upon the support for any length oftime, while the support form is utilized as a business card, orpostcard, and the planar nature of the golf tee components allows thesupport and attached components to readily fit inside a wallet, anenvelope or a user's pocket, without jutting out. The components mayremain upon the support while the support is mailed as a postcard.

The tee components may be removed by the user from the surrounding flatform support, and are readily assembled to form a golf tee. Assembly ofthe golf tee components together, transforms the flat unassembledcomponents into a three-dimensional golf tee capable of supporting agolf ball upon it. The surrounding flat form support may be retained bythe user, who may continue to use it as a business card, key chainornament or a souvenir.

Referring now to FIG. 1, flat support form 100 is illustrated, andsupports in this instance, a plurality of unassembled golf teecomponents, including downwardly tapered stem components 20 a-20 f, andslotted shim components 30 a-30 f. Assembly together of a stem component20 and a slotted shim 30, forms the final golf tee; assembly isdescribed herein below in relation to FIGS. 4-6.

Flat support form 100 displays printing 32, which may be a personalizedmessage, a commercial logo, or business contact information.

Referring to FIG. 2A, flat support form 100 resembles a souvenir such asa memento from a wedding, with printing 32 displaying the wedding dateand name of the bride and groom. Flat support form 100 is a keychainornament and includes hole 64 through which key-ring (not shown) may beintroduced.

Referring to FIG. 2B, alternatively, flat support form 100 may resemblea business card, with business contact information displayed in printing32 a, 32 b, 32 c.

Referring to FIG. 2C, a presently preferred embodiment is shown in whichthe flat support form 100 includes three golf aid tools on a singlesupport, which may conveniently be the size of a business card. Flatsupport form 100 includes a pitch-mark repair tool 34, typically used torepair irregular patches of grass located near a golf hole. Pitch-markrepair tool 34 may be present on flat support form 100 in addition tothe golf tee components (stem component 20 and slotted shim 30).Pitch-mark repair tool 34 includes tines 60 a, 60 b, for repairing pitchmarks.

Referring still to FIG. 2C, flat support form 100 includes ball marker36, typically used to indicate location of a ball which has been removedtemporarily to allow a subsequent golfer to progress beyond a sharedlocation. Ball marker 36 may have apertures 38 through which grass mayenter, to secure ball marker in place on the golf course. One or moreball markers 36 may be included in flat support form 100 in addition tothe golf tee components (stem component 20 and slotted shim 30). In theembodiment shown, ball marker 36 is coaxial to the center of pitch-markrepair tool 34. After removal of ball marker 36, a finger-hole willremain at the center of pitch-mark repair tool 34, for ease of grippingof pitch-mark repair tool 34.

Slotted shim 30 is bordered within the lower half of pitch-mark repairtool 34, in a creative design which also represents a saving ofmanufacturing cost, as s single laser-scoring course is sufficient todelineate both tools. Prior to use, the slotted shim 30, is pushed outfrom within the lower half of pitch-mark repair tool 34.

Referring to FIG. 3, golf tee components are enlarged for clarity, afterthey are removed from flat support form 100. Note planar nature of golftee components, allowing them to lie flat in parallel to flat supportform 100, prior to assembly, without hindrance when placed in a user'swallet or pocket.

Golf tee components include stem component 20 and slotted shim 30. Stemcomponent 20 is downwardly tapered, concluding in tapered ground spike40 for piercing the ground and anchoring final assembled tee in place.Upper end 42 of stem component 20 is concave for receiving a golf ball.Upper end 42 of stem component 20 further includes receiving slot 44 formating with terminal end 46 of slotted shim 30.

Upper end 42 of stem component 20 additionally comprises projection 48,which mates with niche 50 of slotted shim 30 after assembly of golf teecomponents (stem component 20 and slotted shim 30). Projection 48 andniche 50 form a locking mechanism that locks the golf tee componentstogether for use during teeing.

Slotted shim 30 includes concave upper area 52 for receiving a golfball.

Referring to FIG. 4, stem component 20 and slotted shim 30 areillustrated oriented in preparation for mating for formation of finalgolf tee. Stem component 20 and slotted shim 30 are essentially flat andthus have lain within the plane of flat form 100 without protrudingbeyond the surface of flat support form 100.

Prior to assembly, stem component 20 and slotted shim 30 are removedfrom flat support form, and a 90° angle is formed between them, asillustrated in FIG. 4. Terminal end 46 of shim 30 is neared towardsupper end 42 of stem component 20, in advance of mating.

Referring to FIG. 5, slotted shim 30 and stem 20 have mated such thatterminal end 46 of slotted shim 30 has entered receiving slot 44 onupper end 42 of stem component 20.

Referring to FIG. 6, final assembled golf tee 54 is shown. Ball seat 56for receiving and supporting a golf ball is formed of upper concaveareas 52 and 42 originating in upper ends of slotted shim 30 and stem20, respectively. Ball seat 56 is concave and shaped as a cross. Lockingmechanism (not shown) secures slotted shim 30 and stem 20 in place aftermating has occurred, so that golf tee 54 remains a single unit as longas a user requires. One example of locking mechanism, shown in relationto FIG. 3, comprises projection 48 of stem component 20 and niche 50 ofslotted shim 30, which may be mated together to lock in a reversiblemanner.

Referring to FIG. 7, another view of final assembled golf tee 54 isillustrated. Slotted shim 30 and stem 20 have mated such that ball seat56 formed by the upper end of these components appears as a single unitcapable of receiving and supporting a golf ball.

Referring to FIG. 8, in use of the final assembled golf tee, taperedground spike 40 of final assembled golf tee 54 has pierced the ground(not shown), and golf ball 58 has been placed upon the golf tee 54.Teeing off may begin. In certain embodiments, ground spike 40 may have ablunt end which enters the ground instead of a tapered end.

In certain embodiments, the tee components slotted shim 30 and stem 20may be of equal length.

Referring to FIG. 9, flat support form 100 may include any number ofgolf tee components (slotted shim 30 and stem 20 components) as desired,which may be designed to appear in aesthetically pleasing patterns. Noteplacement of components in FIG. 9, and compare to additional patternformed by components in FIG. 1. The layout of components is unlimitedand may be personalized. Golf tee components may optionally be providedin various length, allowing a user to select a specific length of tee.

Referring to FIG. 10, flat support form 100 includes ball markers 36 a,36 b, pitch mark repair tool 34 and several sets of golf tee components(slotted shims 30 and stems 20). Pitch-mark repair tool 34 includesfriction grips 62 which ease gripping of the tool. Flat support 100 mayresemble a post-card in size.

Referring to FIG. 11, flat support 100 is a tournament pass which may beworn by a user. One or more sets of tee components and/or pitch-markrepair tool, or ball marker, may be included.

Referring to FIG. 12, flat support 100 resembles a postcard, and isshown in frontal view (upper section of FIG. 12) and in rear view (lowersection of FIG. 12).

Referring to FIG. 13, flat support 100 is a membership card provided toa member of a golf course. Printing 32 displays the name of the memberand the membership expiry date.

Referring to FIG. 14, flat support form 100 displays an individualizedimage 66 which may be a photographic image of the golf course. Incertain embodiments, the image 66 may be a photographic image of thegolf instructor, or of the user. In other embodiments, various graphicbackgrounds may be displayed upon flat support 100. Tee components 20,30 and ball markers 36 are apparent upon flat support 100.

Referring to FIG. 15, an alternative embodiment of a locking mechanismis shown. Stem component 20 includes aperture 68 for accepting hook 70present on slotted shim 30. After hook 70 has entered aperture 68,locking of golf tee components (shim 30 and stem 20) occurs, securingthe final tee together for use.

Referring to FIG. 16, flat support 100 appears as a cut-out shape, withgolf aids connected by barbs 72 to flat support 100. Golf aids, such asgolf tee components (20, 30), ball marker 36 and pitch-mark repair tool34, are readily removed from barbs 72 by bending golf aids away fromflat support 100. Printing 32 includes business contact information.

Referring to FIG. 17, a planar detachable keychain keepsake 74 isillustrated. Planar keychain keepsake 74 is easily severed by the userfrom the remainder of the flat support 100. Hole 74 allows insertion ofkey-ring (not shown). Keychain keepsake 74 may be printed with any typeof advertising material, or may be personalized for specific users orspecific golfing events.

In FIG. 17A, all golf aid tools are attached externally to flat support100, or are laser-scored into surface of flat support 100. In contrast,in FIG. 17B, golf aid tools are attached by barbs 72.

The invention may be made of any material known to man. In presentlypreferred embodiments, the material is selected from a plastic,paperboard, wood, or bamboo, in any thickness desired. Manufacture ofthe flat support form, and formation of the golf tee components (andball marker and pitch-mark repair tool), may be accomplished usingprocesses known in the art, including, but not limited to, casting,molding, laser cutting or mechanical cutting, or etching. In certainembodiments of the invention, the material used may be recyclable orbiodegradable, or may derive from recycled materials, including recycledrubber or recycled plastic.

Golf tee components, pitch-mark repair tool and ball marker, may bepre-cut into surface of flat support form, so that upon removal of thesecomponents, voids remain in the surrounding support form. Alternatively,components may be lightly fixed to the external surface of the supportform with adhesive or with flexible bands, so that removal of thecomponents leaves the flat support intact.

Printing may be performed on any area of the invention, such as upon anypart of flat support form, on the golf tee components, ball pitch-markrepair tool, or ball marker. The printing may be, for instance, apersonalized message, a commercial logo, or business contactinformation. Marking may also be performed during the production processusing, for instance, laser marking or casting.

In certain embodiments, one can envision that the golf tee, ball markeror pitch-mark repair tool (herein “golf aid tools”), may be providedwithout the flat support. In such case, golf tee components and othergolf aid tools will nevertheless retain their unique planar design,allowing them to be easily packaged and easily stored by a user.

The present invention thus provides memorable and functional golf aidtools such as golf tees, pitch-mark repair tool and ball marker, whichmay be provided to a user as souvenirs of a visit to a golf course. Thegolf aid tool components may be retained for any period of time upon theflat support form, since they are planar in nature and lie flat upon thesupport. A user may thus readily fit the planar support including thegolf tee components in his wallet or pocket. The flat support mayresemble a membership card, a postcard, a tournament card, a keychainornament, or a memento. Any printing or image may be displayed on theflat support, or on the golf tee components, and thus the invention maybe utilized for promotional purposes. Planar golf aid tool kits of theinvention are optimal souvenirs for golf aficionados.

Having described the invention with regard to certain specificembodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the description is notmeant as a limitation, as further modifications will now become apparentto those skilled in the art, and it is intended to cover suchmodifications as are within the scope of the appended claims.

1. A planar golf aid tool kit, having essentially two dimensions, comprising: a) golf tee components adapted to be assembled to form a golf tee capable of supporting a golf ball thereupon, wherein said golf tee components are comprised of: a stem component, and a slotted shim component, said slotted shim component mating with the upper end of said stem component, wherein the upper end of said stem component and the upper area of said slotted shim component are concave for receiving a golf ball; and further comprising a locking mechanism for securing said golf tee components together after assembly has occurred; b) a ball marker; c) a pitch-mark repair tool.
 2. The golf aid tool kit of claim 1, wherein prior to use, said ball marker is provided coaxial to the center of said pitch-mark repair tool.
 3. The golf aid tool kit of claim 1, wherein prior to use, said slotted shim component is bordered within the lower half of said pitch-mark repair tool.
 4. The golf aid tool kit of claim 1, comprised of a flat support form, supporting: said unassembled golf tee components a), and supporting said ball marker b) and said pitch-mark repair tool c); wherein said components a)-c) are planar and lie parallel to the surface of said flat support, prior to use.
 5. The golf aid tool kit of claim 4, wherein said flat support form resembles at least one of the following: a postcard, a business card, a keychain ornament, a membership card, a tournament card, and a memento.
 6. The golf aid tool kit of claim 4, wherein said unassembled golf tee components, said ball marker and said pitch-mark repair tool are pre-cut into the surface of said flat support form, such that upon removal of said golf tee components, a void is formed in said support form.
 7. The golf aid tool kit of claim 4, wherein said unassembled golf tee components said ball marker and said pitch-mark repair tool are temporarily fixed to the external surface of said support form, such that after removal of said components a)-c), said flat support form remains intact.
 8. The golf aid tool kit of claim 4, wherein said flat support form has a cut-out appearance, and said unassembled golf tee components said ball marker and said pitch-mark repair tool are connected to said flat support form by barbs.
 9. The golf aid tool kit of claim 4, wherein said golf aid tool kit comprises a plurality of tee components supported by said flat support form.
 10. The golf aid tool kit of claim 1, wherein said components a)-c) are designed to appear in aesthetically pleasing patterns.
 11. The golf aid tool kit of claim 1, wherein mating of said slotted shim component and said stem component is comprised of a receiving slot present on the upper end of stem component, said receiving slot mating with the terminal slotted end of said slotted shim.
 12. The golf aid tool kit of claim 1, wherein said golf aid tool kit displays printing thereupon.
 13. The golf aid tool kit of claim 11, wherein said printing displayed is selected from: a commercial logo, business contact information, a personalized message, a photographic image, and a postcard form.
 14. The golf aid tool kit of claim 1, wherein said golf aid tool kit has a predetermined thickness, and is formed from a material selected from: plastic, paperboard, wood, bamboo, rubber, recycled rubber and recycled plastic.
 15. The golf aid tool kit of claim 1, wherein said golf aid tool kit is manufactured using a method selected from: casting, molding, laser cutting, mechanical cutting, and etching.
 16. The golf aid tool kit of claim 1, further comprising a planar detachable keychain keepsake. 